In Windmill Town, in the early morning just as dawn was breaking, a crowd gathered beneath the great windmill that symbolized a bountiful harvest.
They looked up at the figure on the high platform with excitement in their hearts.
It was Peishan.
Looking at the dense crowd below and the excited expressions on their faces, Peishan remembered how she, too, had stood among the crowd when she was a child.
Now that she was the one standing on the platform, she felt a wave of inexplicable excitement.
And all of this was thanks to the man beside her, Finn.
As well as Xia De, who had already left.
“To think you really just came to enjoy yourself, Xia De.”
Finn, who was mingling in the crowd below, gazed at the excited girl on the high platform. For a moment, he was in a daze, feeling as if he had returned to his childhood.
Last night, the town chief had found the two of them as they were leisurely strolling past the street stalls, holding a bunch of snacks.
He told Finn that he needed him to help inject magic into the great windmill this morning.
He said that Xia De claimed to have urgent matters and had already left Windmill Town last night, setting off on his return journey.
Thus, this honor—or rather, chore—fell onto the shoulders of Finn, the runner-up.
The town chief handed Finn something that Xia De had asked him to pass along before leaving. It was a note with only a single line written on it:
“The fun I had at the Windmill Festival is my greatest harvest. So, the chore of injecting magic is yours to handle.
Do a good job, and don't let down your dear childhood friend.
I bet you two have some sort of promise, right?
Keep it up, Finn!”
Upon seeing the note left by Xia De, Finn's first reaction was to freeze. Then, as if unable to believe it—like a pie falling from the sky and hitting him right on the head—his face was instantly filled with joy. In his excitement, Finn transferred this honor to Peishan.
“Now, please inject magic into the windmill and bring us a bountiful harvest!”
The crowd below began to count down together, their voices passionate and resonant.
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”
Magic surged in Peishan's hands as she injected it into the great windmill.
Activated by the magic, countless complex, glowing green lines appeared on the windmill's sails, and a green ball of light slowly condensed at its center.
The ball of light grew larger and larger, finally shooting toward Bezerlati Lake like a balloon about to burst.
Fierce winds raged along its path, yet they did not cause a single shred of damage. Instead, they carried a gentle warmth.
Along the way, the ball of light gradually transformed into a ring of light, finally settling onto Bezerlati Lake.
Then, a water tornado suddenly surged up from the calm lake surface, rising like a giant pillar that pierced the sky.
“The harvest is coming!”
The surrounding crowd cheered excitedly, their faces brimming with happy smiles.
Peishan on the platform was no exception. Tears shimmered faintly in her eyes; she had truly brought a bountiful harvest and happiness to everyone.
Finn did not join the crowd in cheering. From beginning to end, his gaze never left Peishan.
Watching the happy smile on Peishan's face, Finn's gaze also grew gentle.
Great. I brought you happiness, too.
Then, he looked off into the distance, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said with a hint of gratitude in his voice, “I really owe you one this time. I'll definitely repay you in the future. You truly are a genius just like me. I hope your journey goes smoothly, and may joy always be with you.”
“Hmm? It feels like someone is talking about me.”
Sitting on an expensive sofa, Xia De seemed to sense something and suddenly muttered a seemingly random remark.
Xia De was currently inside a very quiet and exquisitely decorated room. While the overall style of the room leaned toward simplicity, every single piece of decor was extremely valuable.
Xia De could tell this from the windows beside him, which looked ordinary but were actually made of crystal.
Even the sofa beneath Xia De's rear was made from the hide of a Tier Six magical beast.
In front of him was a long rectangular table, on which sat some pastries and delicate teacups filled with steaming tea.
He was currently in Count Toka's Count's estate.
Upon hearing Miss Coco mention that a prominent figure had specifically requested him for a commission, Xia De's interest had been piqued.
Prominent figures were great. They always had plenty of affairs, which would be perfect for enriching the contents of his adventure log.
Out of curiosity, he had also asked just how prominent this figure was.
Miss Coco had not answered him directly, as matters regarding such figures were always kept confidential. After a moment of thought, she had pointed to the ground beneath them and said, "As big as the entire Toka City."
With her subtle hint, Xia De knew who the employer was and readily agreed.
Afterward, Miss Coco had led him to a room in the Adventurer's Guild, where he met the Count's old butler, who then brought him to the Count's estate.
Along the way, Xia De had no idea how many times he had complained internally.
Prominent figures are such a hassle. Since this entire city and even this vast territory belong to him, and there is no one stronger than him on the surface, he could have just looked for me directly. Why go through so many twists and turns?
Once the old butler brought him to this room, he had first served him refreshments before leaving to notify Count Toka.
Now, he was the only one in the room, sitting on the sofa and sipping tea, feeling incredibly cozy.
Within Xia De's perception, a soundproofing magic had been placed on this room, which could block out most sounds.
This also filled the entire room with a reassuring tranquility. Mmh, this is a good place for a nap.
“My apologies. I was dealing with some matters just now. To think I was the one who invited a guest, yet I ended up late myself. This is truly a breach of etiquette. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
The door opened, and a very young-looking man, seemingly only in his twenties, walked in.
His tall, slender frame was clad in fabric that looked expensive at a glance. An apologetic smile graced his face, yet his demeanor was extremely proper, with every movement exuding a gentle and refined temperament.
He looked just like a nice, easygoing guy.
“It is fine. As the lord of the entire territory, it is only natural for the Count to have urgent matters to attend to daily.”
Xia De unhurriedly set down the pastry in his hand, elegantly wiped his hands with a napkin on the table, and then continued, “If the Count truly feels apologetic, why not prepare some more pastries for me to take with me?”
Seeing Xia De's calm and unbothered demeanor, Count Toka was taken aback before bursting into hearty laughter.
“As expected of the youngest S-rank adventurer. Just on this courage alone, you deserve that title.”
As a Count and the lord of this territory, Count Toka could not remember how long it had been since he last met someone who could remain so calm and composed before him, neither subservient nor overbearing.
Furthermore, from Xia De's attitude, he could tell that this was not a front but rather genuine behavior.
Count Toka did not feel offended, because he had been the same way in his youth. Especially upon seeing Xia De's handsome appearance, he felt as if he were looking at his younger self.
An arrogant genius.
More importantly, Xia De possessed the strength and talent to match that arrogance.
An S-rank adventurer required at least a Tier Seven cultivation level, and Xia De even held the title of the youngest S-rank adventurer, which showed how incredibly powerful his talent was.
Yet Xia De did not have the flaws commonly found in such geniuses. Instead, his conduct was neither servile nor overbearing, which pleased him greatly.
He felt that he had found the right person for this mission.
“Motoser, remember to prepare more pastries later for Mr. Xia De to take back.”
He smiled and spoke to the butler beside him, who immediately complied.
“Yes, Count.”
Then, without further elaboration, he sat down on the sofa opposite Xia De, stared at him, and got straight to the point:
“Mr. Xia De, I hope you can escort my daughter to the Royal Capital's Debury Magic Academy!”
Rate on N.U.
